Welcome to Modern Agriculture!
home

What is artificial fertilizer made from?

Artificial fertilizers are made from a variety of inorganic materials, primarily:

* Nitrogen (N):

* Ammonia (NH3): The most common source, produced from natural gas through the Haber-Bosch process.

* Urea (CO(NH2)2): Synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide.

* Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3): Produced by reacting ammonia with nitric acid.

* Phosphorus (P):

* Phosphate rock (Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl)): Mined rock that is processed into various forms, including:

* Single superphosphate (SSP): Reacted with sulfuric acid.

* Triple superphosphate (TSP): Reacted with phosphoric acid.

* Diammonium phosphate (DAP): Reacted with ammonia.

* Monoammonium phosphate (MAP): Reacted with ammonia.

* Potassium (K):

* Potassium chloride (KCl): Mined from deposits of potassium salts.

* Potassium sulfate (K2SO4): Produced by reacting potassium chloride with sulfuric acid.

Other ingredients:

* Sulfur (S): Often added to fertilizers to improve plant growth.

* Magnesium (Mg): Important for chlorophyll production.

* Calcium (Ca): Helps with cell wall formation.

* Micronutrients: Trace amounts of essential elements like iron, zinc, boron, etc., which are crucial for plant health.

Formulations:

Artificial fertilizers are available in various formulations, depending on the desired nutrient ratios and specific needs of the crop:

* Granular: Most common form, easy to apply.

* Liquid: Applied through irrigation systems.

* Powder: Often used for specialty applications.

It's important to note that the specific ingredients and ratios vary depending on the manufacturer and the intended use of the fertilizer.

Modern Agriculture
Agricultural Technology